Reels from the past....

[nejohn]

I wasn't a big fan of the Daiwa closed face reels, I much preferred the ABU 506M or 507 (once the backwind pawl had been removed) I also preferred the Mitchel 440 to the 1657m, I just thought the 440 was a bit snappier in its operation and preferred the wider spool on the 440.
A good fixed spool from the past was the original DAM finnessa's they were really smooth reels and were the 1st to have proper balancing and instant anti reverse

 

[NoCarpPlease]

Anti reverse is only for when storing a made up rod in a roost, otherwise it’s off for me. No clutch/drag, I only backwind.
My 507s and 501s don’t have an anti reverse at all.

as IangG1 stated, finger on the spool for netting.

i only use old reels for float work, Mitchell matches mostly - but also ABU 501 and 507 mk1.
the line lay on the Mitchell hasn’t been surpassed yet IMO.

i Don’t fish carp match venues so they do fine for me.